Extracting and refining asphaltum.



N0. 700,839. Patefited May 27, I902.

A. F. L. BELL.

EXTBACTING AND REFINING ASPHALTUM. (Application filed Jul 1e, 1s97. No Moglel.) 3 Sheets-.Sheet l.

Witnesses v Inventor y .flgwafim I Attorney m: norms PETERS ca, FHOTO-LIYHQ, WASNINGTUI. u. c.

No. 700,889; Patented May 27, I902;

A. F. L. BELL. I

EXTBACTING AND BEFINING ASPHALTUM.

(Application filed July 16, 1897.]

.3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

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n a n 0 Inventor Witnesses Allarney n4: uonms PEYER! cc, moYaLrmQ. wuumsmn. n.c.

Patented May 27, I902. 4 A. F. L. BELL. EXTBAGTING AND REFINING ASPHALTUNI.

(Application filed. July 16, 1887.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' Inventor I Witnesses v me Nonms P ins cu. wmoumo WASHINGTON, u c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR F. L. BELL, OF CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALCATRAZ COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORA- TION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

EXTRACTING AND REFINING ASPHALTUM.

SIPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent NO. 700,889, dated May 27,1902. Application filed July 16, 1897. Serial No. 644,803. (No model.)

To all whom, it ntay concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR F. L. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Carpinteria, county of Santa Barbara, and State of California, have invented certain new and useful improvements inmachinery and apparatus for crushing and disintegrating crude bituminous material or ore, especially asphaltum combined with silicious or earthy matter, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the extraction and refinement of asphaltic material from earthy matter or other impurities associated with such material in its natural state and comprehends, in part, methods and apparatus for extraction and refinement, operating in succession and in an organized form, upon the material from its crude state as procured from the earth or mine to the finished product, such methods and apparatus being directed to what is known as the solvent process of I treatment, whereby the asphaltic or bituminous substance is by affinity, dilution, agitation, and heat incorporated with a liquid solvent, such as the lighter distillates of petroleum, and is reduced to a solution of the two, from which solution the liquid solvent is evaporated,then condensed or liquefied,and used over again, performing its office continuously by circulation.

That part of my invention embodied in my present application relates to the preliminary operations and apparatus for crushing, disintegrating, and preparing the crude material for the liquid solvent, being an improvement on the methods and apparatus set forth in my Letters Patent of the United States No. 505,416, granted to me on the 19th day of September, 1893, for a process of extracting and refinin gasphaltum; also, Letters Patent No. 581,451, granted to me on the 27th day of April, 1897, for improvement in apparatus for refining asphaltum.

My present improvements consist in a series of crushing and disintegratingrollers through which is passed successively the crude material, the rollers being provided with replace-' able teeth of hard material; in a method of gearing and driving the rollers and provisions for removing them from their supports, also in the supports themselves and fastenings therefor; in making the rollers interchangeable, protecting their bearings from sand or grit; in means to clean or strip the rollers,

and in other features that will be pointed out and more fully explained by the aid of the drawings herewith and forming a part of this specification.

The objects of my invention are to secure endurance of such rollers employed to crush and disintegrate alphaltic material held by saturation in sand or other earthy matter,and to provide for convenient placing, adj ustment, and removal of the rollers or their parts when deranged or destroyed by wear, and to secure complete reduction of the crude material to small pieces that can be rapidly penetrated by the liquid solvents that dissolve out the asphaltic material.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is a diagram illustrating the principal elements constituting the plant or apparatus for extracting and refining asphaltum arranged and operated according to my invention. Fig. II is an end elevation of a set or battery of crushing-rollers mounted in their supporting framing constructed and operated according to my invention. Fig. IIIis afront view of the same set or battery of rollers and accessories. Fig. IV is a diagram of the gearing to drive the rollers. Fig. V is an enlarged end view of the lower pair of rollers and connected parts. Fig. VI is a longitudinal section on the line :0 min Fig. V. Fig. VII is a detail of Fig. VI. Fig. VIII is an enlarged section of one of the crushing-rollers, showing the manner of mounting the teeth therein. Fig. IX is a detail of Fig. VIII.

Like letters and numerals of reference apply to corresponding parts throughout.

Referring first to Fig. I, representing in diagram the several elements constituting a plant or system of which my present invention forms a part, these elements can be divided as follows: A represents the crushing and disintegrating machinery; B, the melting vessel and its accessories; 0, the mixing vessel and its connected parts; D, the extracting vessel and apparatus; E, apparatus for elevating the earthly matter out of the liquid solvent; F, the drying apparatus for volatilizuid solvent from G I,-tank to receive the solution from the extracting apparatus; J,

pump to circulate the solvent, and J a pump to return a part of the solution to the mixing apparatus 0; K, a dump for waste material. It will be understood that any or all of these elements can be double or more in number,as'

the capacity of the plant may require.

The first or mechanical reduction of asphaltic material, especially saturated sand, prealso maceration and the mechanical action of projecting teeth that penetrate and tear the material. It is this kind of ore or material to which my present invention is especially directed; but it is also applicable to tenacious and non-friable substances,whether the waste material be silicious or soft earthy matter.

Referring now to the constructive features of my invention and the manner of its application and at first to Figs. II and III, these represent in two planes the mechanism included in the element A, Fig. I, consisting of a strong frame composed of vertical members 1 and horizontal members 2, preferably of metal and of the usual structural sections. On this framing is mounted, preferably in three sets, pairs of crushing and disintegrating rollers 3,set on stages or floors, as seen in Fig. II, and driven by gearing, as shown in Fig. III and indicated in the diagram Fig. IV, 4 being pulleys or first-movers, and 5 gear-wheels on the ends of the roller-shafts. The material is delivered at the top by means of the trucks 6 or in any other suitable manner and deposited in the bin or hopper 7, from where it is engaged by the first pair of rol lers, and after passing-through these falls into the second hopper or bin 8, through the second set of rollers 3, and so on to the lower and last pair of rollers,where besides thepressing action of the rollers and tearing effect of the teeth 9 there is a macerating or rubbing action produced by reason of this pair of rollers being driven at different speeds relatively, as will be hereinafter explained. The distance between the rollers forming pairs diminishes from top to bottom or from the first to the last pair of rollers, so the material is successively reduced in sizeand disintegrated until reduced to the required state of fine: ness before it enters the last hopper 30, passes into the chutes 22, and to the meltingcylinder, (represented. at B in thediagram Fig. I.) The destructive effect upon all rubbing-surfaces involved in such crushing and disintegrating apparati'1s,.also the liability to fracture and derangement by solid substances passing in with the material, calls for ready means of removal, replacement, and substitution of such parts as are perishable.

To provide for the removal and replacement of the crushing-rollers 3, I mount them on bearings 10, that slide between the channel-beams l1, as-shown enlarged in Fig. VI. The lower one of these pairs of beams 11 projects beyond the main frame to some convenient distance, as indicated in Fig. II, so that any one of the rollers 3 can be moved back laterally and, with its bearings, be lifted off and another substituted.

To hold the rollers in the desired position laterally and with a proper space between them, I employ strong through-keys 13, passing through the webs of the channel-beams 11 outside the bearings 10, and between these bearings are struts 14, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. V.

To change the distance between the rollers forming pairs, I provide transferable packing 15, consisting of a number of metal plates or shims that can be transposed from one side to the other of the bearings 10 and are usually provided for one roller of each pair, which permits sufficient adjustment.

In front of the keys 13 and sliding between the beams 11, the same as the bearings .10, are blocks or followers 16, against which bear the packing-plates 15. These followers 16 overlap the keys 13 at the sides, as seen in d Fig. V, and are' provided with holes 17', through which and corresponding holes in the keys 13 can be passed long pins to prevent the keys from working out.

To provide for changing or substituting the rollers 3, I construct them all alike or with such slight modifications that aspare roller can take the place of any one in the set of six.

To support the beams 11, I employ for the two upper stages .or floors struts 18 between the horizontal beams 2 and 11. The lower pair of these beams 11 are supported by trussframing, as shown in Figs. II and V. A down- 4, pinions 23, intermediate wheels 24, pinions 25, and the wheels 5 on the ends of the roller-shafts. In the case of the lower or last pair of rollers the gearing is different. The wheels 5 on the end of the roller-shafts are at opposite ends of the same and are driven at different rates by means of the pinions 25 26, which are not of the same diameter. The

pinion 26 gears directly into one of the wheels 5, and the pinion 25 drives the other wheel 5 through an intermediate wheel 27, required to change the motion, so the rollers 3 will turn This arrangement of in opposite directions.

the gearing produces a rubbing or drawing action between the final pair of rollers, which, as seen, are set much nearer together than the first pairs, thus reducing the asphaltic material at this point to a fine or disintegrated state before it falls into the meltingcylinder, (shown at B, Fig. I.)

To gain access to the rollers and to inspect their working, there are provided hinged doors 29 at each side of the chutes or hoppers 7, 8, 28, and 30, that when opened permit free access to each of the pairs of rollers from both above and below.

The rollers 3 are provided with rows of strong teeth 9, that are inserted loosely in mortises 31 and held by through-rods 32, that fit in curved notches formed in the sides of all the teeth 9 in one row, as seen in Figs. VI and VIII. These rollers are all made alike for economy of construction; but in each the annular series of teeth, while equally spaced, begins about twice as far from one end as from the other, with the result that when one of the rollers is reversed end for end the teeth will not come opposite the teeth of the adjoining roller, but opposite the interspaces. In this way the rollers can be arranged in series and intermesh. For the two upper pairs of rollers the teeth 9 are preferably curved forward to produce a cleaving edge, as seen at 33 in Fig. VIII. In the lower and last pair of rollers the teeth are straight and parallel, as seen at 34 in Fig. VIII. I,

The material being usually of a plastic nature, it adheres to the face of the rollers 3 between the teeth 9 and is removed therefrom by a series of scrapers 35, held on the brackets 36 and adjusted by the screws 37, so as to bear against the rollers at 38 and scrape ofi adhering material.

The rods 32 are held in place by coveringplates 39, which fit over a stud 40, provided with split pins, as seen in Figs. VIII and IX. To withdraw the pins 32, there is a screwsocket 41 in the end to receive a screw-key when the plates 39 are removed.

To prevent the sand and grit from reaching and injuring the bearings 42 of the rollers 3, I provide the curved guards 43, that are fastened to the bearings 10 and cover the top of the joint between the ends of the rollers 3 and the bearings 10, as seen in Fig. VI.

The teeth 9 are so made as to be readily removed and replaced, for the reasons that they are subject to rapid wear and require frequent dressing and renewal.

In Fig. III the driving-pulleys and the several shafts connecting to the pairs of rollers 3 are shown on one side of the main frame or structure; but it will be obvious that such gearing can be placed on either side or be divided between the two sides; also, that the various modifications of the driving-gearing can be made to suit the circumstances of erection and position of the driving power.

Having thus explained the nature and objects of my invention and the manner of constructing and operating the same, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a vertical series of crushing-rollers arranged in pairs, laterally-adjustable bearings for said rollers, horizontal channel-beams 11 above and below said bearings supporting the same, struts 14 between the bearings, adj ustable through-keys 13 passing through the webs of the channel-beams outside the bearings, and transferable shims or packing 15 for adjusting the horizontal distance between said rollers, substantially as specified.

2. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a pair of cooperating rollers, each provided with spaced rows of removable spaced teeth borne in channeled mortises 31 in said rollers, and through-rods 32 engaging grooves in said teeth and said mortises, for holding the teeth in position, the teeth of one roller being located opposite the spaces of the other roller, whereby the said teeth intermesh, substantially as specified.

3. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a pair of cooperating rollers, horizontal channel-beams 11 for supporting the bearings of said rollers above and below, sliding bearings borne on said channel-beams, through-keys 13 passing through the webs of the channel-beams outside the bearings,struts 14 between the bearings, transferable shims 15, and followers 16, overlapping the keys 13, said keys and followers provided with'holes for the insertion of pins to prevent the keys from working out, substantially as specified.

4. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a series of crushing and disintegrating rollers arranged in pairs, one above the other, the rolls of each successive pair from above downward being nearer together than those of the preceding pair, said rollers being mounted in movable and adjustable bearings that slide between horizontal beams forming a part of the main frame and projecting laterally beyond the same on each side, whereby the said rollers may be moved out laterally, clear of the main frame while supported thereon, substantially as specified.

5. In asphaltum extracting and refining apparatus, a pair of cooperating rollers, removable spaced teeth annularly arranged in each roller, with annular interspaces, said teeth of one roller located opposite the spaces of the other roller to intermesh, means for adj usting the distances between said rollers, and

IIO

adjustable stationary scrapers located between each ring of teeth in the interspace, to keep said interspaces clear, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntoaffixed my signature in the presence of two wit- IIGSSQS.

ARTHUR F. L. BELL.

Witnesses:

S. lWIcADAMs, VICTOR S. HALL. 

